Torture in Iraq

So, Mr. Allawi comes out yesterday and claims that the New Iraq is engaging in practices similar to that of Iraq Classic.

My reactions:
1. Not surprising when you have insurgents everywhere blowing everyone to bits. It's real hard to be kind, loving, and truly democratic in those conditions.
2. The fact that he's saying this now when the United States is suggesting an exit strategy makes me wonder if he doesn't want to drum up more support for the U.S. to continue a presence there. I don't think 2-3 years of occupation is going to change the Iraqi culture successfully.

My opinion so far, which is subject to change with more information: we should not have gone to war against Iraq, but that now that we have become involved, we need to ensure its success. However, if I come to believe that it's not possible to create a democracy in this fashion, a notion which I am leaning towards, maybe we should cut and run. Sure, we're not marines, but then that's why I'm not in the armed forces.

An Open Letter to Moose

Dear Moose,

I saw your moment of stardom in a recent Enterprise Rent-a-Car commercial. Looking as if you just got off your shift from the used car lot, it's quite clear that those years of post football-game beers caught up to you, tripped you, and ran across the finish line while you took a dirt nap. Despite that, you gamely decided to show up at your high school reunion.

Despite the fact that your knuckles barely hover above the ground, and that your jaw is prone to sagging below the rest of your head, you really did look sharp in that Cadillac you rented from Enterprise.

Fortunately, it looks like Buffy and Ling Ling from the Drill Team were impressed by "your" car. Hopefully you have the car reserved long enough so that you can give them a lift to their next AA meeting.

Go Moose, go.

-A